Romanians and Bulgarians in UK soar 80% in two years

The study found that one in four Romanians and one in five Bulgarians were working in the construction industryAndrew Matthews/PA

The number of Romanians and Bulgarians resident in the UK soared by almost 80 per cent in two years, according to figures published today.

Curbs on migrants from the two southeast European countries entering the UK labour market were lifted at the start of 2014, triggering a surge in arrivals looking for jobs.

Official figures released today show that last year there were 413,000 citizens from the two countries resident in the UK, up 79 per cent on the 230,000 in 2014.

In comparison, the number of UK citizens resident in Bulgaria and Romania was just 6,200, according to the Office for National Statistics’ study on the dynamics of migration between the UK and the two EU states.